Am I Allowed to Enter Thailand Again for a Tourist Visa While Awaiting My Work Visa?

Thailand immigration Visa regulations Tourist visa Non-B visa Visa extensions Border run

Jun 28, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, could someone please help me clarify something. I entered Thailand 9th January 45 day visa , then extended. I then did a border run from Phuket to Malaysia and extended once more , then left. I’ve just been offered a teaching job there. Am I allowed to enter again ( through the Laos- Thailand friendship bridge) for one more tourist visa whilst I get my work visa sorted ? TIA

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user has been in Thailand for an extended period under a tourist framework and is looking to re-enter Thailand for a tourist visa while awaiting a work visa. Responses highlight that the user initially entered Thailand without a tourist visa, their previous entries, and the potential complications related to attempting to enter again. It is noted that there are limitations on the number of land border crossings, but the user could consider flying in to avoid these restrictions or apply for a 60-day SETV (single-entry tourist visa) to facilitate their plans.

Sean **********

I'd fly in however I don't know Phuket. In Pattaya however there's a few different places to go to get help with that. If you do get a tourist visa at 60 days double entry, remember it is possible to extend for 30 days so your tourist visa lasts near 6 months instead of 4.

a year ago

Jeremy ********

You get 2 land border crossings per calendar year (01 Jan - 31 DEC) if you have ons border crossing left you are good to go….you can always fly in as their no limit on the amount of Fly Ins…or you could buy a 60 day SETV for ฿1,900 which then you could do a land border crossing because visas don’t count against the 2 land border crossings per calendar yea (01 Jan - 31 Dec)

a year ago

Michael ********

Was your first entry by land or air.

If by land means you have done your 2 land crossings already and need to fly in.

a year ago

Callum ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Michael *******

first entry was by flight. Second entry was border dash to Malaysia through Phuket. Think I’m just going to fly as that’s the best option I’ve been told

a year ago

Michael ********

@Callum *******

ok you are allowed 2 land crossings

a year ago

Reply to

Michael ********

Callum ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I just want to enter land border once more to get my work permit

a year ago

David ********

@Callum *******

my English girlfriend did a similar thing came for a holiday before going to work as a English teacher then the school do all the paperwork when in Thailand visas work permit.if you have job offer. Crack on 👍🏻

a year ago

Reply to

David ********

Callum ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have an email saying I have a job acceptance and the process of getting that work visa will be happening asap

a year ago

Brandon ************

You've never entered Thailand with a tourist visa. Tourist visas are things that you apply and pay for before you go to Thailand and they give you 60 days when you arrive.

You have previously arrived visa exempt meaning you had NO VISA at all.

99% of companies want you to get your Non-B visa outside of Thailand because it's very difficult to convert from visa exempt or tourist visa to a non-B inside of Thailand.

Find out from your company if they can send you paperwork to apply for your work visa before you travel. If you arrive at Thailand with a non-B visa you should have no issues entering the country.

You are only allowed to enter Thailand at a land border without a visa 2 times per year. You didn't say how you entered Thailand the first time so it's impossible to answer your question.

But even if you entered through air the first time it sounds like you've been in Thailand for about 4.5 months this year out of the 6 months. Immigration officers don't like people trying to live in Thailand with short term/tourist entries and you've already spent a large portion of this year in Thailand. It's possible that you have issues trying to enter Thailand again without a visa or with a tourist visa after already being in Thailand for this long.

a year ago

Callum ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

first time I entered I flew from Malaysia to chiang Mai. Second time I did a visa run from Phuket to Malaysia

a year ago

Randy ********

@Callum *******

you didn’t do a visa run. You did a border bounce, big difference.

From what I gather, you’ve flown in the first time and you used a land border the second time. So you’re ok with doing one more land border crossing for the year. As you’re only allowed two land border crossing in a calendar year.

You should be fine re-entering Thailand. I would suggest you print off all documents you have pertaining your future employment offer.

a year ago

Reply to

Randy ********

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